Why I’m Running the New York City Marathon (It’s Not Just Because I Like Pain)

It takes a lot to motivate me to go 26.2 miles. (Frankly, it takes a lot to motivate me to go one mile!) Here’s why I’m doing it anyway. What would inspire you to tackle your Big Thing?

I’m not the only Glamour runner With staffers Caitlin Brody, left, andGrace Martinez at the Brooklyn Half Marathon

They say in life it’s good to do the thing that scares you, so I guess it’s really good that I am bat-sh-t terrified about running the New York City marathon on November 3.

Lest you think I am one of those six-minute-mile overachievers who was born with sneakers on, let’s be clear: I was never an athlete. (My high school sport was dancing to Madonna.) Then, 12 years ago, while working at a fitness magazine (the irony!), I decided to train for a marathon. It was hard, but running that race—in New York City in the shadow of 9/11—felt unexpectedly profound. At one tough, gasping-for-air moment around mile 15, a firefighter passed me in full regalia, adorned with the names of his fallen comrades and carrying a flag. I was humbled, and pressed on.

In the decade since, I’ve had two babies and whole years with little exercise. But in 2012 I signed up again, both to get my fitness act together and to raise awareness for a cause I care about (see below). When that marathon was canceled in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, I had another reason to run this year—to support the city I love. (It’s the same reason thousands of runners are hoping to land a spot in the Boston Marathon next spring.)

Recognize these? They’re just like the shoes worn by Texas lawmakerWendy Davis in her filibuster on behalf of women. She autographedthem for me! (Photo: Cathy Crawford)

Training’s been tough, but here’s a story that keeps me going: When my father-in-law was 58, he volunteered with a group that assists disabled athletes. Fit but no marathoner, he agreed to run the first half of the New York City marathon tethered to a blind runner who’d flown all the way from Thailand for the race. At mile 13, another volunteer would take over. Except: That other volunteer never showed, and there was my father-in-law, exhausted, with 13 painful miles he’d never trained for ahead of him. “What did I do?” he recalls now. “I kept going!” All the way to the finish line— inspired by the even more heroic efforts of the blind man beside him.

I think of that story often, and not just while running. With the right motivation you can almost always go farther, accomplish more, reach higher than you thought. Good luck with whatever scary things you’re facing this fall. See you at the finish!

A Jumpstart volunteer helps apreschooler in Boston.(Photo: Courtesy of Jumpstart)

Giveback
My marathon incentive came from knowing this: In low-income neighborhoods, kids start kindergarten 60 percent behind their peers from affluent communities. Jumpstart, the organization I’m running for, is changing that. To date, the foundation has recruited more than 28,000 volunteers to equip pre-K’ers with the literacy skills they’ll need. “A child’s ZIP Code should never determine her chances at success in life,” says president Naila Bolus. Your $25 will provide a year of supplies for one class to learn to write their names. Love that. Donate here (and support me on my run!).